What material is weighed to check for shaker adequacy?

The adequacy of a shaker, particularly in testing aggregates, is determined by weighing aggregates on a sieve. This process ensures that the shaker can effectively handle and separate the materials based on specified sieve sizes during the gradation process. When aggregates are placed on a sieve and subjected to shaking, the amount of material that passes through the sieve can be quantitatively assessed. If the shaker operates properly, it will produce consistent results for the weight of materials collected. This is critical for quality control and for ensuring compliance with specifications.

Using a random sample of soil does not specifically test the shaker's functionality, as the focus is not on the nature of the sample but rather on the performance of the equipment itself. Weighing an empty pan checks for tare weight but does not provide insights on how well the shaker performs with the materials. Weighing the total sample collected involves analysis after the shaking process, thus it does not assess the operational adequacy of the shaker itself at the time of testing. Thus, focusing on aggregates on a sieve aligns directly with evaluating the shaker's capability to deliver accurate and reliable results during aggregate testing.